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Social Sciences Division

POLITICAL SCIENCE

Political Science books

Prepare to comprehend domestic and international political events by examining political theories and ideologies, international relations, American politics, international security, defense decision-making and more.

About Us

The Department of Political Science is an integral part of the U.S. Air Force Academy’s core curriculum, developing and teaching courses in American and comparative government, international relations and American defense policy.

This department prepares cadets to comprehend the political events, both domestic and international, that will shape their careers. To do so, cadets examine political theories and ideologies, competitive politics, international relations, American politics, international security, defense decision-making, the politics of foreign governments, organizational behavior and political economy.

Alumni from the Department of Political Science have gone on to become:
 Rhodes Scholars Special Assistants to the Secretary of Defense
 Member of Congress  Secretary of the Air Force
 National Security Advisor to the President  Chief of Staff of the Air Force
 Commanders of combatant commands  University presidents
White House Fellows  Business leaders
 Ambassadors
Political Science Faculty & Staff

Majors & Minors

Political Science (Major)
Political Science
(Major)
Foreign Area Studies – Political Sciences Depth (Co-Administered Major)
Foreign Area Studies – Political Sciences Depth (Co-Administered Major)
Social Science (Co-Administered Major)*
Social Science
(Co-Administered Major)*

*Restrictions Apply

Department News News From Around The Department

June 9, 2025

Integrity first: 2nd Lt. Caleb Kavanaugh’s leadership path

Cadet 1st Class Caleb Kavanaugh, Class of 2025 president, speaks to graduates and audience members during the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2025 graduation ceremony held at Falcon Stadium in Colorado Springs, Colo., May 29, 2025. (U.S. Air Force photo by Dylan Smith) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. - U.S. Air Force Academy military trainer Master Sgt. Nicholas Filip first met 2nd Lt. Caleb Kavanaugh when Kavanaugh joined Cadet Squadron 6 four years ago as a four-degree. Filip appraised the prior-enlisted cadet from that first meeting as “the boldest and most confident...

Continue Reading Integrity first: 2nd Lt. Caleb Kavanaugh’s leadership path

Cadet 1st Class Caleb Kavanaugh, Class of 2025 president, speaks to graduates and audience members during the U.S. Air Force Academy’s 2025 graduation ceremony held at Falcon Stadium.
February 25, 2025

Cadets receive base assignments at Class of 2025 100s Night

Cadets 1st Class Sam Akolo, left, Micah Trusty, center, and Michael Lee display their base assignments during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall, Feb. 13, 2025. This formal dinner marks 100 days remaining before commissioning and graduation. (U.S. Air Force photo by Ray Bahner) By Randy Roughton U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – Class of 2025 U.S. Air Force Academy cadets learned their base assignments during the 100s Night Dining-in ceremony in Mitchell Hall Feb. 13. The event, held about 100 days before graduation, marks a key milestone for...

Continue Reading Cadets receive base assignments at Class of 2025 100s Night

Cadets 1st Class Sam Akolo, left, Micah Trusty, center, and Michael Lee display their base assignments during the Class of 2025 100s Night Dining-in ceremony at Mitchell Hall.
November 17, 2023

Celebrating 65 years of Academy Assembly

Panelists speak at the 65th Academy Assembly Nov. 7, 2023 at Polaris Hall, U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado. This year’s Assembly theme was “The Dragon Roars Back: China’s Return to the World Stage.” (U.S. Air Force photo by Rayna Grace) By Katherine Spessa U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communication U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. – The U.S. Air Force Academy celebrated its 65th year of the Academy Assembly and addressed China’s growing presence in the Indo-Pacific region and international spheres during a three-day event held at Polaris Hall here, Nov. 6-8. As a top priority of the National Defense Strategy,...

Continue Reading Celebrating 65 years of Academy Assembly

Panelists speak at the 65th Academy Assembly
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